Category: Parades & celebrations

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2025 The Village of Williamsport conducted a LIBERTY TREE dedication at the local village park. It was presented on behalf of the 250^th Anniversary of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Camp Charlotte chapter historian Rick Hartinger spoke about the history and tradition regarding THE LIBERTY TREE during the ceremonies.
THE LIBERTY TREE (1646-1775) was a famous Elm tree that stood in Boston near the Boston Commons, in the years before the American Revolution. In 1765, Colonists in Boston staged the first act of defiance against the British government at that location of that tree. The tree became a rallying point for the growing resistance to the unfair rule of Britain over the American colonies.
In attendance for the ceremonies were Camp Charlotte members Rich Minshall, Kevin T. Donahue, & Gary Montgomery and members from the Pickaway Plains D.A.R. chapter Christine Lallier & Vivian Crist. After the dedication ceremony the members in attendance led the Deercreek Dam Days parade.

Friday April 18th we had the honor to participate in a celebration on the State house west lawn for the 250th event of Paul Revere’s ride. Many were in attendance include the ladies for the local DAR chapters, the various local news companies were covering the event which was air later that evening and into Saturday. Members of the Hocking Valley and Camp Charlotte provided opening Color Guard duties with a musket salute in honor of Lexington and Concorde. At the end of the ceremony the state house cupola was lit with 2 individual light that were a symbolic gesture of the start of the Ohio 250th year long celebration.

So Saturday the 12th we were invited along with others of the SAR Color guard unit to celebrate the 125th birthday of the Elizabeth Sherman Reese chapter of the DAR in Lancaster Ohio. It was a very enjoyable party at the local Knights of Columbus location as we fellow-shipped with other members of the DAR and our local Pickaway Plains DAR as well, all with great food and great conversation and tea. There were Bob Hill, Al Gummere, Don Miller and Tom Hankins (Hocking Valley SAR) and Max Demp (Camp Charlotte SAR) providing the Color guard duties with 2 ladies for the DAR participating as well.

Camp Charlotte was invited to be with the Ohio Society Color Guard unit to present the colors for the Ohio Society Daughters of the American Revolution State Conference. members of Hocking Valley and Richard Montgomery were also present which added to the open ceremonies. Lead by the State Color Guard Commander Bob Hill we were warmly welcomed by the organization with Bob getting his share of the attention, that helmet sure attracts the ladies. All the ladies in attendance were dress in their finest which really add snap to the whole event. In attendance and speaker for the evening was DAR President General Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright of Texas.

So this Saturday 22 of February the Benjamin Franklin Chapter of the SAR hosted the birthday celebration for General George Washington at the Clintonville Women’s Club. In attendance where many SAR and DAR members to enjoy the music of Cap City Brass. The keynote speaker was presented by Ben Heckman and his re-enacting of Benjamin Franklin. Overall the entire event was very entertaining and informative. Members of the Camp Charlotte Chapter and Marietta Chapter under the direction of Ohio Society Color Guard commander Bob Hill presented the Colors for the open ceremony.

This years Pumpkin Show was a busy one. 6 out of 7 parades the Camp Charlotte Color Guard unit handled the responsibilities quite well. This year we again had our booth for both the DAR & SAR with the DAR providing a float in which to ride. All and all it was extremely successful many inquiries and requests for applications for both SAR & DAR membership.

Saturday 12, 2024 the Camp Charlotte held their event honoring those that were part of the treaty of Camp Charlotte. The Key not speaker Mrs. Dorene Soiret 6th great granddaughter of Chief Cornstock gave a presentation of the history of how and why Chief Cornstock and Chief Logan the involvement in to the treaty of Camp Charlotte. The follow day on Sunday a bus tour took attendees through the various location in which all the activties took place with the special stop at Logan Elm park where Chief Logan gave his speech to the various local Indian tribes.

The 2024 ceremonies for the Battle of Point Pleasant was huge success. Many were in attendance in the various clothing for the period. We 6 members of the Camp Charlotte SAR arriving to be part of the wreath presentation and/or Color Guard unit.

August 24 the members of Camp Charlotte had the honor to attend the new memorial being dedicated in Defiance Ohio by the Northwest Territory Chapter of the SAR. This monument is 3 years of hard work and organizing the placement of the outstanding monument. Though the park in which it stand stretches along the river side of the Maumee river, it is a stunning object to look at and read the inscription that is placed on it.